Vending machine for bottled goods



Nov. 2, 1943. Q C. OLSEN 2,333,118

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet l OQGQQQQQQQ f -OQQ'Q/ oc Q or;

1, BY @j f l ATTORNEY.

Nov. 2, 1943. o. c, oLsEN 2,333,118

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR.

@NORA/EY.

Nov. 2, 1943.

o. c. oLsr-:N 2,333,118

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet l5 l INVENT OR.

BY @Holm/EY.

Nov. 2, 1943. o. c, OLSEN 2,333,118

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Fil-.ed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZL'y. 4 BY MORA/EY.

Nov. 2, 1943.

O. C. OLSEN VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24,

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 lib-IMM lllllllllll. 'III/Ill llll.

65 il P INVENTOR.

BY I M A T T OHNE Y.

Nov. 2, 1943.

O. C. OLSEN VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 9% OHNE Y.

Nov. 2, 1943. o. c. oLsEN 2,333,118

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 F. l 1g.

A l A l A A A V 'L'VVVLV INVENTOR.

Nov. 2, 1943. o. c. oLsEN 2,333,118

VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Filed Sept. 24, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Nov. 2, 1943 2,333,118 'Y VENDING MACHINE FOR BOTTLED GOODS Olaf Christopher Olsen, Kansas City, Mo., as-

signor to C. Earl Hovey, Kansas City, Mo.,

ltrustee Application September 24, 1941, Serial No. 412,153

19 Claims. (Cl. 22S-21) This invention relates to vending machines for bottled goods and has for one of its objects to provide apparatus capable of withdrawing a capped bottle from a cooling chamber, decapping said bottle, and pouring the contents thereof in a container disposed for the purpose upon operation of the equipment, either by the insertion of a coin or the like, or upon manual manipulation of parts arranged for the purpose.

One of the important aims of the instant lnvention is the provision of a vending machine for bottled goods, having means for automatically withdrawing a capped bottle from the storage chamber of the machine, decapping and pouring the contents thereof, automatically and without attention by the operator. and thereafter returning the emptied bottle to the cooling chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned character having means for automatically removing a capped bottle from the cooling chamber near the bottom thereof, decapping and pouring the contents-of the bottle as it ls elevated toward the upper por.

tion of the cooling chamber, and causing the bottle to dwell a short period of time in its upward travel to completely empty the contents thereof.

Further objects of this invention include the provision in a bottle vending machine of means for removing a capped bottle from a cooling chamber where the same is in a horizontal position, elevating the bottle to a point near the upper portion of the cooling chamber, decapping the bottle as it travels upwardly and after the same has been moved to a substantially upright position, thereafter tilting the bottle to an inclined position where the contents thereof may flow into a suitable container and returning the elevating means to its point of beginning, after depositing the empty bottle in a part of the machine designed for receiving the empty bottle, after the same has been returned to a substantially horizontal position.

A still further aim of this invention is to provide a vending machine for bottled goods, the

capacity whereof is exceptionally great for the size of the cooling chamber provided therein, and the means for progressively feeding the Ibottles from the chamber is arranged to receive the empty bottles after the same have had the contents thereof poured into a container.

Additional objects of the invention include many details of construction whereby a vending machine for bottled goods is rendered commercially practicable, automatically operable upon the insertion of a coin through all cycles without attention of the operator, and capable of performing the steps of decapping, emptying and disposing of the bottle in a desirably short length of time.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art during the following specication, referring to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a vending machine for bottled goods made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transversely sectional view through the machine taken on line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view with parts of the cabinet removed to reveal the operating parts.

Fig. 4 is an edge elevational view of the vending machine with a portion of the wall of the cabinet broken away to disclose underlying parts.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the upper portion of the vending machine taken on line V-V of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed perspective viewl of the bottle cradle and associated parts.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed side elevational view of the bottle cradle shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the bottle elevating and decapping equipment, showing the bottle in the many positions assumed as the same is raised from point of delivery to the point of return.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 8, illustrating the manner of moving the bottles toward the point of discharge from the cooling chamber.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detailed view illustrating that part of the machine near the point where the empty bottle re-enters the chamber.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detailed view illustrating the coin switch.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line XII-XII of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view through the mechanism establishing connection between the drive shaft of the motor and the operating rack.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view through a portion of the mechanism taken on line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the cup shelf, part of its under-wall being broken away to reveal its underlying switches.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detailed view illustrating the portion of the operating rod for the bottle feed.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit employed in the vending machine.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View through a coin operated coin controlled switch made in accordance with a modified form of the invention: and

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on line XXI-m of Fig. 20.

Cabinet 24, used to house the mechanism, is

.constructed in a conventional manner in that it bottles 23 and 33 respectively. Means for refrigerating chamber 23 is not here shown and forms no part of the invention, since conventional mechanical refrigeration may be employed if desired and the parts thereof other than the cooling coils installed in a compartment 32 in cabinet 24. y

A series of shelves 34 is in cooling chamber 23 and these shelves 34 are mounted upon supports 36 carried by partition 38 and the upper wall of cabinet 24. Shelves 34 have their ends offset as illustrated in Fig. 1, for example. to establish a serpentine path through which the bottles travel. During the movement of the bottles they roll over the upper surface of shelves 34 and are guided from one shelf to a shelf 34 immediately therebelow by arcuate aprons or thelike 43.

The manner of moving the bottles as aforesaid is through the medium of a number of endless chains 42 mounted on sprockets 44 carried by supports 36. These endless chains have laterally extending pushers 46 overhanging shelves 34 between the bottles-thus, a number of stalls are established, each of which receives a bottle when the machine is loaded.

Shelves 34 constitute a rack to receive all of the bottles and because the means for moving the bottles toward a point of discharge is located to one side of the shelves. the opposite sides thereof are entirely open to receive bottles when the same are introduced to any point along the entire length of the rack on shelves 34. In loading the machine it is unnecessary to move the apparatus that urges the bottles toward the point where decapping and pouring of the contents thereof is started. The case in which the bottles are stored and cooled has its one side completely unobstructed when the door is swung to the open position. This feature of the machine is of great importance for it expedites the loading and permits replacing a bottle at any point along the rack without disturbing -the remaining bottles. When the bottles are in place, they are all in a horizontal position with the ends thereof in substantially the same vertical plane.

Endless chains 42 are simultaneously operated by connecting chains 43 passing over sprockets 63`on shafts 62 that support sprockets 44. One of connecting chains 43 has a number of pins 63 projecting laterally therefrom to be engaged by dog 64 pivotally mounted as at 66 on operating barV 53. This operating bar is reciprocablyjournalled in bearings 63 and maintained at one end of its path of travel by spring 62. This operating bar 53 is movable during the operation of the pln`64 mounted on rack 66. Pin 64 strikes ear 63 on yoke 13 and when springs 12 are compressed sufficient force is exerted upon operating bar 63 in a downward direction to move chain 43, which in turn advances all bottles in the entire rack one step.

Springs 12 are interposed between yoke 13 and outturned lugsV 14, rigidly mounted on bar 63 for the purpose of absorbing any shock and thereby eliminating destructive action and overcoming any tendency to create noisy, abrupt advancement of the bottles. Ear 63 projects through a slot in partition 16 whereon is mounted a pair of tracks 13 and 33 respectively. These tracks terminate at the bottom of chamber 26 near opening 32 through which a capped bottle 23 is fed and below which cradle, generally designated by the numeral-34, is disposed. This cradle has a spring 33 therein upon which the capped bottle drops and an extension 33 against which the neck of the bottle 'rests when in a substantially horizontal position and after cradle v34 starts its upward movement.

Support 33 carries the neck of Acapped bottle 23 when it is first fed from chamber 26 and maintains cap 32 of the bottle in position to close switch 34 to insure that the machine will operate only when a capped bottle 23 is being acted upon. Cradle 434 is pivotally mounted as at 36 on the upper end of rack -66 and is equipped with a roller 33 and a spring 33, the latter serving to yieldably maintain cradle 34 in the position shown in Figs.'6 and 7.

A clamp |32 yieldably held in the operative position and against pin |33 by spring |34 cooperates with cradle 84 in gripping the Vbase of a capped bottle 23. This gripping action occurs immediately upon upward movement of cradle 34 and rack 66.

The means for causing clamp |32 to move to -the operative position comprises a plate |36 slotted as at |33 to receive the rearwardly extended portion ||3, upon which is mounted roller 33. Plate |36 is rigidly mounted on bracket ||2 carried by partition 16. Clamp |32 is pivotally mounted as at ||4 intermediate its ends and while one end thereof is laterally projected to overlie the side of the bottle the other end has lupward movement of cradle 84, clamp |32 is drawn into engagement with the bottle. A laterally projecting pin |23 on cradle 34 enters tracks 13 as'said cradle continues to be lifted while pin 64 on the upper end of rack 66 rides in track 33.

As cradle 34 elevates capped bottle 23 toward decapper |22, the bottle is tilted to a position where the cap 92 thereof is engaged by decapper |22. This decapper is assisted in its operation upon cap 92 by guides |24 that insure centering of the bottle as it is tilted.

Decapper |22 is pivotally mounted on shaft I 2| carried by the end of cabinet 24 and partition 16, and a spring |26 yie1dably maintains the decapper in the position shown in full lines of Fig. 8.- One leg |23 of decapper |22 is bifurcated to straddle the neck of the bottle immediately below cap 32 to insure an even pull on each side thereof. Bottle 23 is moved longitudinally in a straight line against decapper |22 to rotate the latter about its mounting. Thus the cap is forced against hump |25 on leg |21 and is pried from place. r

A conventional cup feeding mechanism |23 mounted on cabinet 24 is operably joined to decapper |22 through the medium of a cable |33 and arm |32. This cup dropping mechanism |23 is obtainable on the open market and further description thereof is unnecessary.

When the containers |34 are fed from |23, a drop by gravity to shelf |36. and in some instances, a guide |33 may be desired. Cup shelf |36 is specially made with current controlling switches, but will hereinafter be described.

After cap 32 is withdrawn from bottle 23 the continued upward movement of cradle 34 tilts 4 theA bottle to a downwardly inclined position container |34. During the decapping operation, roller 98 bears against block |40 to insure rigidity and this same roller is positioned adjacent the inclined face of member |42 during the pouring operation. It is at this point during the upward movement of the bottle that a dwell occurs through the medium of the hereinafter described electrical circuit. Y

When the contents of the bottle has been emptied into container |34 and cradle 84 continues to rise, the empty -bottle 30 is released from cradle 84 because clamp |02 rides along cam face |44 to move the clamp away from the bottle. Due tothe form of tracks 18 and 80, the bottle has been returned to a substantially horizontal position where it strikes dogs |46 pivotally mounted as at |48 to cabinet 24 and yieldably held in the position shown in full lines of Figs. 9 and 10 by springs |50. Cam faces |52 of dogs |46 are inclined upwardly and outwardly from the inner face of cabinet 24 and as bottle 30 is forced against said faces, the dogs move into pockets |54 provided for the purpose of affording clearance.` As soon as the bottle is lifted above dogs |46 they snap to the position below the bottle, as shown in Fig. 1, to hold the same in the empty bottle conduit |56, the upper end of which is adjacent to the top of chamber 26 and disposed to feed empty bottles onto uppermost shelf 34.

When the bottle is so positioned, pin I|6 of clamp |02 will be resting upon the top of flange |58 on plate |60 that is pivotally mounted as at |62 to a bracket |64 carried by partition 16. Spring |66 urges plate |60 toward the position shown in Fig. 9, but downward movement of cradle 84 after clamp |02 has been disengaged from the bottle, will continue until pin I|6 of clamp |02 has dropped from flange |58-thus, cradle 84 will return empty bottles to the point of beginning, i. e., a place in the rack.

From the foregoing it will be observed that a complete cycle has been described, so far as removing a capped bottle from the cooling chamber is concerned, and thereafter elevating the capped bottle, decapping the same, pouring the contents thereof into a container, and then redepositing the emptied bottle into the cooling chamber 26. I An electrical motor |68 of reversible type, is employed to motivate the parts of the- |10 and a driven shaft |12 upon which is mounted a pinion |14 in mesh with rack 66.

In some instances it is desirable to adjust the machine and time the same without the necessity of running motor |68. For that purpose there is provided a manually rotatable shaft |16 upon which is mounted crank |18 and bevel gear 80. A bevel gear |82 is splined on driven shaft |12, and therefore, is movable longitudinally to either one of two stations where ball |84 is in either detent |86 or |88.

When it is desired to manually manipulate the machine, ball |84 is moved to detent |88 whereupon bevel gears |80 and |82 are in mesh and motor |68 is not in connection with shaft |12. Movement of bevel gear |82 to the position just described, removes pins |90 on collar |92 from sockets |94 in sleeve |96, and likewise removes pins |98 on sleeve |96 from sockets 200 in collar |92.

The electrical circuit employed is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 19 and it is contemplated that the vending machine will automatically operate upon depositing therein a coin, token or the like, and if such automatic operation is desired, coin switch 202 is closed by coin 204,- as shown in Fig. 1l. The weight yof the coin moves switch arm 206 to a place where the terminals of said switch are closed.

If the coin is to be dropped and a part of the machine manually manipulated before the operation starts, then a switch, such as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, may be employed. In this embodiment of the invention, switch 208 is closed only when slotted plate 2|0 is rotated. Such rotation may occur only when coin 2|2 rests between slotted plate 2|4 and plate 2|0 to interlock the same. Pull rod 2 6 is drawn outwardly bythe operator and switch 208 is closed a suiicient length of time to complete the circuit as is switch 202. Spring 2|8 yieldably maintains pull rod 2 |6 in a normal position.

Motor |68 has a solenoid 220 to serve as a means for braking the armature and is also equipped with reversing parts of conventional nature, broadly designated by the numeral 222 in Fig. 19. Such electrical equipment is purchased on the open market and forms no part Vof the invention other than to cause the hereinabove described mechanism to operate as contemplated.

In addition to coin switch 202 there is provided a switch 224 and a switch 226 on arm 228, both of which lie in the path of travel of boss 230 on rack 66. Arm 220 remains stationary and as rack 66 travels upwardly the boss 230 thereon first strikes switch 224 and then switch 226.

Cup shelf |36 has a platform 232 mounted on a lever 234 fulcrumed as at 236 and maintained in normal position by a spring 238. There are three switches in this cup shelf |36, i. e., 240, 242 and 244. 'Ihe weight of the empty container |34 upon platform 232 is sufficient to close switch 240.

A reverse and forward switch 246 in the motor circuit has an arm 248 to be struck by finger 250 when rack 66 is at its lowermost point (Fig.

' 8), to connect motor |68 for forward movement,

while finger 252 on rack 66 strikes arm 248 to throw switch 246 to a position to reverse motor |68 when rack 66 has reached its uppermost position.

The numeral 254 designates a conventional vacuum tube time delay, effective when the weight of container |34 and its contents reaches a predetermined point to close switch 242 in cup shelf |36.

Repeating the cycle of operation for purpose of describing the electrical control, coin 204 is dropped into a suitable coin chute of conventional character, not here shown, and if desired, through a Well-known slug ejector as is now the custom. Switch 202 is closed and energy supplied to motor control relay bank 222 through a circuit including switch 04 held closed by cap 92 on capped bottle 28 that is in cradle 84. At this juncture it should be made clear that when the machine is loaded and set, a capped bottle 28 is positioned in cradle 84 and from this time on, a bottle is always in place in cradle 84 to close switch 94. If no cap is present, the machine will not operate.

The circuit completed by dropping coin 204, is as follows:

From power line 256 through wire 260, wire 262, one closed arm of switch 246, wire 264, forward relay coil 266, wire 268, closed coin switch 202, wire 210, closed switch 94, wire 212, wire 214,wire

218 -to power line 258.

When this circuit is closed momentarily by coin 28.4, coil 266 is energized to close contact points 288 and 282 of the forward relay in control 222. Immediately following the closing of points 288 and 282, coin 284 drops by gravity and opens switch 282 whereupon coil 266 is maintained energized through the following circuit:

Line 256, wire 268, wire 262, one closed arm of switch 246, wire 264, coil 266, contacts 288 and 282, wire 284, wire 214, wire 216, other closed arm of switch 246, and wire 218 to line 258.

When coil 266 closes points 288 and 282, it also 'I 3216, the other closed arm of switch 246, and wire weight of container |34 and itscontents, time delay unit is in the following circuit, which includes the motor |68 but which will not operate until contacts 334 and 336 in time delay Unit 254 are closed:

Line 256,'wire 268, wire 298, wire 388, wire 382, closed contacts 292 and 298, wire 384, wire 386, terminal 2 on motor |68, from terminal I of motor |68, wire 322, wire 324, closed contacts 296 and 294, wire 326, wire 328, terminal 3 of motor |68, terminal 4 of motor |68, wire 388, wire 3|8, closed contacts 288 and 286, wire 3|2, wire 3I4, switch 22,4, wire 3|6, wire 338, to contacts (now open), 336 and 334 in time delay 254, wire 348, wire 328, wire 216, switch 246, wire 218 to line 258.l

The time delay unit 254 is energized by closing switch 242 while switch 226 is in dotted line position. It is important that boss 238 remain against switch 226 to hold its arm in the dotted line position until motor |68 is again started through' the action of time delay unit and switch 242. When the container is heavy enough to close switch 242, time delay unit 254 is energized From motor |68, through terminal 4, wire 388,

wire 3|8, closed contacts 288 and 286, wire 3|2, wire 3|4, closed side of switch 224, wire 3|6, wire 3|8, closed side of switch 226, wire 328, wire 216, switch 246, wire 218 to line 258.

Motor |68 elevates rack 66 to a point where bottle 28 is decapped and container |34 is deposited on platform 232 of cup shelf |36, to close switch 248. Boss 238 now engages switch 224, throwing its arm into the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 19. The circuit previously outlined is broken when switch 224 is reversed and therefore motor |68 would stop unless a container |34 is in place to close switch 248 when switch 224 is engaged by boss 238, as just set forth.

When switch 224 is as shown in dotted lines and switch 248 is closed, motor |68 receives current through the following circuit:

Line 256, wire 268, wire 298, wire 388, wire 382, closed contacts 292 and 298, wire 384, wire 386, to lterminal 2 on motor |68, from motor |68 through terminal i, wire 322, wire 324, closed contacts 296 and 294, wire 326, wire 328, terminal 3 of motor |68, .terminal 4 of motor |68, Wire 388, wire 3|8, closed contacts 288 and 286, wire 3|2, wire 338, closed switch 248, wire 332. switch 224 (dotted line position), Wire 3I6, wire 3|8, switch 226, wire 328, wire 216, Switch 246, wire 218 to line 258.

A rack 66 continues to rise, boss 238 passes switch 224 allowing its arm to return to full lineA position. Boss 288 then engages switch 226 to move its arm to the dotted line position. When rack 66 is high enough to cause boss 238 to strike switch 226, the bottle being elevated has been tilted to pour its contents into container |34. This position is ,illustrated by the uppermost dotted line posit' n of the bottle in Fig. 8.

Under these conditions and when switch 226 has been moved to the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 19, motor |68 is stopped to cause a dwell of sufficient duration to permit al1 the liquid in the bottle to flow therefrom.

Throwing switch 226 to the dotted line position while boss 238 is passing, connects time delay unit 2-54, and switch 242 in circuitwith motor |68. When switch 242 is closed l(after boss 238 has struck switch 226), by the combined through the following circuit:

'Line 256, wire 268, wire 262, switch 246, wire 342, to time delay unit 254, from said unit through wire 344, switch 242 (now closed by weight. of container |34 and' its contents), wire 346, switch 226, wire 328, wire 216, switch 246, wire 218 to line 258.

When sufficient time has been allowed (about 3 seconds), to completely -drain the bottle, time delay unit 254 closes contacts 334 and 336 and the motor |88 is started.A The rack 66 continues upwardly until ringer 252 strikes reversing switch 246 whereupon motor |68 will stop because switch 244 is open and in circuit with the reverse switch supplying current to the motor. When switch 246 is reversed in position, coil 266 is de-energized to open all of contacts in the forward relay. At this point in the cycle empty bottle 38 is released from cradle 84, as above set down.

Switch 244 in shelf |36 is in the reverse relay coil circuit which contacts motor |68, and is opened by the weight of container |34 and the liquid poured therein. The remaining switches in shelf |36 are only inv the-forward circuit.

Motor |68 is started to return the bottle gripping) and elevating means when the vfilled container |34 isremoved from platform 232 of shelf |36 by the operator. When such occurs, switch 244 is closed and the motor reversed through the following circuit:

Line 256, wire 268, wire 262, switch 246 in dotted position, wire 348, relay coil 358, wire 352, closed switch 244, wire 354, switch 246 (now in dotted position), wire 218 to line 258.

When coil 358 is thus energized, contact points 356, 358 and 368, 362 and 364, 366 are closed. Motor |68 now has internal connections joining terminal 3 to I and 2 to 4 and receives current through the following circuit:

Line 256, wire 268, wire 298, wire 388, closed contacts 368 and 362, wire 323 to terminal 3 of motor |68; from terminal l to -wire 322, closed set up the circuit for actuating the machine when a coin is again dropped. l

When the rack 66 approaches its lowermost position, the last 21/2 to 3 inches of travel is employed to feed another capped bottle 28 from the rack. 'I'his feeding occurs when pin 64 strikes ear 68 on yoke 10 to move operating bar 58 downwardly to cause dog 54 to engage one of pins 62 on chain 48.

As this final downward movement occurs, clamp |02 is moved to on side, as shown in Fig. 9, by its pin IIB engaging slot H8 in plate |06. The bottle is engaged by clamp |02 only when the upward movement of the elevating means is started as above mentioned.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles; means operable upon operation of the machine to remove one of the bottles from said chamber at the bottom thereof and to position the same substantially upright; means for automatically decapping said substantially upright bottle; means for tilting said decapped bottle to a down wardly inclined position to discharge the contents thereof; and means for then returning the empty bottle to a horizontal position and depositing the same back into the chamber at the top' thereof.

2.111 a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles;

` means operable upon operation of the machine to vate the same toward the top of the chamber;

and means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated.

3. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles;

means operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof; means to automatically grip one of the bottles as it passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the top of the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; and means for automatically positioning the bottle in an upright position during its upward movement and while the same is being decapped.

4. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles; means operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof; means to automatically grip one of the bottles as it passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the top of the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; and means for automatically positioning the bottle in a substantially upright position during its upward movement, while the same is being decapped, said last mentioned means having parts for tilting said decapped bottle to a downwardly inclined position to discharge the contents thereof as the bottle is elevated.

5. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped botti` vmeans operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof; means to automatically grip one of the bottles as it passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the topjof the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated:

means for automatically positioning the bottle in a substantially upright position during its upward movement, while the same is being decapped and for tilting said decapped bottle to a downwardly inclined position to discharge the thereof means to automatically grip one of thebottles as it passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the top of the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; and means for automatically positioning the bottle in a substantially upright position, for tilting said decapped bottle to a downwardly inclined position to discharge the contents thereof and for returning the empty bottle to a horizontal position to be deposited back into the chamber, all as the bottle is elevated.

7. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged capped bottles; means operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof; means to automatically grip one of the bottles as it passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the top of the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; means for automatically positioning the bottle in a substantially upright position, for tilting said decapped bottle to a downwardly inclined position to discharge the contents thereof and for returning the empty bottle to a horizontal position to be deposited back into the chamber. all as the bottle is elevated; and means for momentarily arresting the upward movement of the bottle during the time the same is in the inclined position to discharge the contents thereof.

` 8. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of capped bottles; means operable upon operation of the machine to automatically remove one of the bottles from the chamber; means for automatically positioning a container to receive the contents of the removed bottle; means for automatically decapping the removed bottle when in a substantially upright position; means for automatically tilting the decapped bottle to `a downwardly inclined position to pour the contents thereof into the container; and meanscontrolled by the container, after the same has received a predetermined amount of the contents of a bottle, to automatically cause the bottle to dwell in the said inclined position a predetermined period of time and thereafter be deposited in a portion of the machine arranged for that purpose.

9. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles;

of time; and means to return the gripping means to the point of beginning its upward movement.

10. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a

chamber adapted to contain a plurality of subl stantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles; means operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof means to automatically grip one of the bottles as it passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the top of the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated;

4and structure for rendering the gripping and elevating means inoperative when a bottle without a cap is presented to the gripping means at the point of removal. l

1l. In a vending machine for bottled goods. a

v chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles; means operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof; means to automatically grip one of the bottles as it passes from the chamber and to stantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles; motor operated means forgdeliverlng one of the bottles from the chamber; means for closing the motor circuit to cause the same to operate the delivery means; a cradle for holdingx the bottle after delivery thereof; means driven by the motor for elevating the cradle and bottle; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; and guides for shifting said cradle to alter the angle of inclination of the bottle as it is elevated, said bottle being supported in a substantially upright position by the -cradle when decapping occurs.

15. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles; motor operated means for delivering one of the bottles from the chamber; means for closing the motor circuit to cause the same to operate the delivery means; a cradle for holding the bottle; means driven by the motor for elevating the cradle and bottle; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; guides for shifting said cradle to alter the angle of inclination of the bottle as it is elevated; and structure for removing the bottle from the cradle and directing the same back into the chamber.

16. In a vending machine for bottled goods,

means for elevating a bottle through a vertical path of travel; means for holding the bottle in a substantially upright position; a pivotally mounted decapper in thepath of travel and disposed to engage the cap of the bottle when in the substantially upright position; and means for forcing the bottle against the decapper through -a straight path of travel on the longitudinal axis thereof to move the decapper around its pivotal support elevate the same toward the top of the chamber;

means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; and means for automaticallyreturning the gripping means to its point of beginning.l

12. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a

chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles: means operable upon operation of the machine to move the bottles through a path within the chamber toward a point of removal at the bottom thereof; means to automatically grip one of the bottles Aasfit passes from the chamber and to elevate the same toward the top of the chamber; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; means for tilting the decapped bottle to a downwardly inclined position to pour the contents thereof into a suitable container; and means for returning the gripping means to its point oi' beginning only when the container isl moved from itsnormal position.

13. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged, capped bottles;

whereby the cap is removed without changing the angle of inclination of the bottle.

17. In a vending machine for 'bottled goods means for elevatinga bottle through a vertical path of travel; means for holding the bottle -iri a substantially upright position and thereafter to a motor operated means for delivering one of the Y bottles from the' chamber; means for closing the motor circuitto cause the same to operate the delivery means; a cradle for holding the bottle after delivery thereof; means driven by the motor for elevating the cradle and bottle; means for decapping the bottle as it is elevated; and guides for shifting said cradle to alter the angle of inclination of the bottle as it is elevated.

14. In a vending machine for bottled goods, a chamber adapted to contain a plurality of subpositionfor pouring the contents thereof into a suitable. container as the same is elevated; a Vpivotally mounted decapper in the path of travel and disposed to vengage the cap of the bottle when .in the substantially upright position; and means forforcing the bottle through a straight path of 50 travel-on the longitudinal axis thereof to move the decapper around its pivotal support whereby the cap is removed without changing the angle of inclination of the bottle.

18.`In avending machine for bottled goods,

meanstfor positioning a bottle in a substantially upright position; a pivotally mounted, freely movable decapper having its pivotal point to one side ofthe longitudinal axis of the bottle; and means for moving the bottle along a straight path of travel on-its longitudinal axis to impart movement to the decapper through the bottle to swing the decapper about its pivotal point to pry the cap from said bottle.

19. In a vending ,machine for capped bottles, a rack for supporting the bottles; means for moving the bottles into a discharged position; apparatusforf decapping and pouring the contents of the' bottle into a suitable container; and means n for rendering inoperative the decapping and pouring apparatusvwhen an uncapped bottle is fed into the discharged position.

- i OLAF CHRISTOPHER OLSEN. 

